Spokane a sometimes overlooked hoops haven

SPOKANE, Wash. – Make it two weeks in a row that I’m fortunate enough to be, during March Madness, at a place that really cares about college basketball. What a timely treat.

Last week for the Big 12 men’s and women’s tournaments I was in Kansas City, home of the College Basketball Hall of Fame. This week, for first- and second-round NCAA Tournament games, I’m in Spokane, Wash., home of the Zags.

How many people, even keen hoops fans, know that Gonzaga’s real mascot is the Bulldogs? Countless schools have changed their mascot, usually because the former nickname had a connection to Native Americans. I think Gonzaga should just go ahead and make a change. The signs you see in storefront windows say “Go Zags!” I haven’t seen a “Go Bulldogs!” yet.

I had never been in Spokane. I like it. It’s like a small Denver – western spirit, mountains in the distance, clean and vibrant downtown, terrific restaurants. Just a good feel.

I’ve talked to several people over the years that have flown into Spokane on the way to a vacation destination in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, about 30 minutes to the east. Some only know the Spokane airport. They’re missing something. My suggestion: allow an extra day or two to spend in Spokane. You won’t be disappointed.

It occurred to me that Spokane was one of the largest cities in this country – about 250,000 in the city proper, 450,000 in the metro area – that I had never seen. Tagging along as the son of an Air Force officer and having made four career moves myself, I have been to 49 states. Heck, I’ve lived in nine states. (And two European countries).

I think Anchorage is the biggest U.S. city that I have never stepped foot in. Alaska is the only state I’ve missed. My wife and I are talking about someday taking a cruise up there.

As for Spokane, I’m impressed that this was one of the first sub-regionals (I still like that term, but the NCAA prefers we call the NCAA Tournament’s opening weekend “first and second rounds”) to sell out – even with locals knowing full well it was unlikely that Gonzaga would be kept here. The Zags, er, Bulldogs, shuffled off to Buffalo, where they open Friday against Florida State.

People here celebrate more than March Madness. They are fanatical about hoops year-round. I’m told dozens of basketball courts are spread all over downtown each summer for the Spokane Hoopfest 3-on-3 tournament. What fun.